Jeremy Corbyn: Winston Churchill united the country in wartime effort

The Labour leader described Churchill as "a controversial character", but said he recognised the former Conservative Prime Minister's efforts in uniting Britain in the Second World War.

Mr Corbyn's comments came after Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell sparked fury by describing Churchill as a "villain" over his role in the Tonypandy miners strike in 1910.

Speaking after a rally of Labour activists in the Black Country, Mr Corbyn said Churchill – who has been voted the greatest ever Briton – had been instrumental in uniting people "to fight the Nazis".

"He was also in his lifetime, a controversial character," he added.

"There's nothing wrong with examining the controversies surrounding Churchill, but at the same time recognising that his actions [during the war], made sure the country came together

"There are other things he did that I totally and profoundly disagree with."

Mr Corbyn was in Dudley to galvanise support for Labour's efforts in this year's council elections and the next General Election.

He delivered a speech in front of around 80 activists in the Woodside Community Centre on Highgate Road, during which he vowed to do all he can to take Labour into power.

His visit came as his party slipped behind the Conservatives in the latest YouGov poll, despite Theresa May's continued woes over Brexit.

He told the Star: "We've got an awful lot of support out there. We've got party membership that's ready and raring to go, and I think the last General election showed just how far the Labour party can mobilise people.

"We're ready for an election at any time."

Asked for his views on moves to deselect moderate Labour MPs, Mr Corbyn insisted he did not interfere in local Labour party operations. "I'm a leader not a dictator," he said.

Mr Corbyn also railed against big business and condemned local authorities that "give way to big business all the time" to the detriment of Britain's town and city centres.

"I get worried when I see high streets losing their vibrancy and you end up with Costa Coffee etc, Caffè Nero, and so on. You lose the individuality of the high street," he said.

"Independent shops and smaller businesses have a bigger committment to stay in the area than the bigger ones that come in. Smaller shops are also much more attuned to local needs."

"Branches of big stores don't feel quite as local. A high street isn't just a street to shop in, it's a community space."

During the event, Mr Corbyn was loudly cheered when he told the crowd Labour had defeated the Tories "yet again", in reference to Thursday night's largely meaningless vote on the Government's negotiating strategy.

"We will put down as many motions of no confidence as it takes until we get a General Election and get rid of this Government," he said.